A Pile of Stones

O. T. #449  "A Pile of Stones"
January 28, 2015
Joshua 4-Part 1
And this may be a sign among you, that when your children ask their fathers in time to come, saying, What mean ye by these stones?  Joshua 4:6

LET IT GLOW

I am to that age where I have to write down things or I quickly forget them. I make grocery lists, write down appointments on the calendar, make notes to recall later. If I didn't, then who knows where I'd be and what I'd be doing? I am even writing down the wonderful things which God has done throughout our 42 years of marriage and serving God. Israel was told to make a memorial so they would remember this fantastic event and share it with their children. You know what it is, don't you?

God's supernatural power stopped the flooded Jordan River upstream from flowing down to where the Israelites were going to cross. As the priests, who were carrying the Ark of the Covenant upon their shoulders using poles, stepped into the water, God made it into a wall of water on their right side. What a marvelous miracle of all time! That must have been an experience which the Israelites never forgot as they aged.

LET IT GROW

God gave Joshua specific instructions about some stones. Shall we see what they were?

There were two piles of stones built:
First, Joshua set up 12 stones from the middle of the river at the place where the priests had been standing and holding the Ark while the Israelites crossed over Jordan. Only God could see them after the water went back to its flood state.
Next, 12 men, one from each tribe, picked up a large stone each, carrying it on their shoulder, to the new camp at Gilgal.

What was the purpose for these two piles of stones?

• When the future descendants ask their fathers, "What do these stones mean?", tell them how Israel crossed the Jordan on dry ground because God dried it up, as well as the Red Sea.   (verses 21-23)
• This memorial of rocks was so that all the peoples of the earth might know that the hand of the LORD is powerful and so that you might always fear the LORD your God. (verse 24)
• The men remembered who directed them to build the memorial and who was guiding them across the river.
• The Israelite children would see the stones, hear the story, and learn about God.

This chapter presents the dynamic truth that the hope of the future is based on the memories of the past, and this hope gives meaning to the present.

The two piles of stones picture Christ's death and burial (hidden stones), and resurrection (the stones on the bank). Also, they illustrate the believer's spiritual union with Christ: when He died, we died with Him; we were buried with Him; we arose with Him in victory! Today's church has two memorials of this great truth: baptism and the Lord's Supper. (Wiersbe)

Do you have any traditions, special dates or places which help your children learn about God's working in your life? Have you taken time to share when God save you, answered prayers, supplied your needs? Retell the stories to keep the memories of God's faithfulness alive in your family.

LET IT GO

Share with others the wonderful things God has done with, for, and through me.

Give God the glory for the things He has done.